I know that my way is frowned upon around here, but I successfully start 30 to 40 flats of vegetables and flowers every year. I start my seeds in plain old Miracle Grow Potting Mix, which I drain extremely well before putting the flats into sweat boxes (otherwise known as clear plastic rubbermaid storage bins). I have never had damping off or any other kinds of problems. I have used the Jiffy Starting mix in the past, but the seedlings never thrived, and had to be re potted right away. The peat pots and pellets dry out incredibly fast, and then are nearly impossible to rehydrate without leaving the plants sitting in water. I have never had a bit of luck with them. It's not laziness. I just live in a small town and am limited by what my local Walmart and other Big Boxes sell.... I will say that I keep a big bag of vermiculite around here, which I purchased in the "big city" a few years ago. I use it to cover the seeds when I am sowing. It works like a charm. Thank you to whomever shared that tip...

Jiffy Seed Starting Mix works fine and easy to hydrate if you do two simple things: 1) microwave distilled water to 130-140 degrees fahrenheit or max hand hot temperature. Using a liquid measuring pitcher place 1 quart of Jiffy SSM in a clean container like a one gallon zip lock bag. Then add 1 cup of hot water to the bag or container. Expel any excess air and zip bag up. 2) Using your hands grip and massage the bag. This step takes 2 minutes max. You will now have hydrated Jiffy SSM. Want to do a whole bag? Add 4 cups hand hot water. Wash and dry your hands and one arm up to elbow. Plunge hand and arm into mix and grip and squeeze Jiffy SSM. Be sure to get all of mix fully hydrated. Remove hand and arm and wash. This step takes 5 minutes max. You now have Jiffy SSM fully hydrated at the correct hydration. When you add the water to the mix it will seem like it is not enough but after 2-5 minutes of mixing you can squeeze a handful of the mix and just barely get a little water out. I only use Jiffy SSM. I have had trouble with some of the other seed starting mixes ( Schul.. et al) over the years. I have not tried the other expensive mixes mentioned above. I go cheap. Works great. I grow plants from seeds under lights most years 50+ flower varieties as well as some bushes and trees etc. Rick

I use Miracle Grow potting mix and always have great results. As of right now, I have coleus, lupines, black pansies, and blue poppies all growing in it under my lights, with very good germination rates. I've used potting soil of various brands, even Miracle Grow Garden Soil, which the instructions clearly state not to use in containers. It seems to me that unless you have a really finicky plant, they are happy with almost anything. Many plants reseed without our help, and sometimes in odd places. Nature has given the seeds what they need to do their thing. The best we can do is try to imitate it. If you're still not sure, I would recommend trying first with seeds that are easy to replace. (this is what I did when I decided to take the leap into winter sowing.) That way, it won't be absolutely heartbreaking if something goes wrong. Good luck!

"I've seen the Sunshine Mixes in white and black bags. Mine is the black if that makes any difference ;) " Haha Sharon, I mentioned the colour of the bales because I was trying to figure out which ones I used. LOL!!! The pro-mix always comes in black. However, I was sure that I had a black bale with Sunshine mix on the side....but then when I saw these...they were all white. Nevermind. LOL! My seedlings are doing very well...with both. Too funny. :-)I kind of don't pay any attention when I start seeding. LOL!!! Its interesting that all Walmarts don't carry the same things. Marcia, we have a tac shop here that carries garden supplies.....do you have anything like that? Sierra